Podcasts
Podcasts
Friday, April 3, 202604/03/2026
The Hustler Files Ep 156
FROM INCARCERATED TO INFLUENCER: THE JESSE CROSSON STORY
Meet Jesse Crosson, author of The Best Part of Prison, founder of the Second Chancer Foundation, an inspirational voice for second chances, and now a social media influencer. But that wasn’t how it all started. At just 18 years old, Jesse’s life changed forever after a robbery and shooting led to a 32-year prison sentence. What followed was nearly two decades behind bars, time that could have defined his life in one direction but instead became the foundation for profound personal growth. During his incarceration, Jesse found mentors, discovered the power of reading and writing, earned a college degree, and began reshaping his identity. After serving nearly 19 years, he was granted clemency and released, stepping into a world transformed by technology, opportunity, and responsibility. Today, Jesse uses his lived experience to help others find freedom, not just from incarceration, but from the emotional and mental barriers that hold people back. Through his foundation, public speaking, and widely followed social media platforms, he’s found a voice for good, a voice that says, even the hardest obstacles can become opportunities for growth.
Friday, April 3, 202604/03/2026
Play Among the Stars
Play Among the Stars 4/3/26: MTA Pres Max Page: school funding & tax cutting. Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Lev Ben…
Thursday, April 2, 202604/02/2026
Laughing Matters
4/2/26: Hilary Price, Kelsey Flynn, Kelly Silliman & Ginny Mayer:” A Laugh a Day Keeps Despair Away.” Professors Colin Gleason…
Wednesday, April 1, 202604/01/2026
No Foolin’ Around
No Foolin’ Around
4/1/26: DA David Sullivan & Kara McElhone, Ex Dir, Children’s Advocacy Center – Hamp Co: April is Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month.
Historic Deerfield’s Lauren Whitley & Phillippa Pitts: “Picturing and Dressing the Revolution.”
Sal the Salamander, Woody the Wood Frog, Pete the Peeper & Brian Adams: crossing over.
Pam Victor, Head of Happiness @ Happier Valley Comedy: Yes And.
Tuesday, March 31, 202603/31/2026
Insights
Insights 3/31/26: Dr. Xiomara Herman, Amherst School Super, on time-outs, restraints & the Blue Room. ACLU Mass Ex Dir Carol…
Monday, March 30, 202603/30/2026
A Suite of Choices
A Suite of Choices
3/30/26: David Roitman (Co-Lead, UU Democracy Action Team) & Prof Danielle Allen on “Reimagining Democracy,” abolishing partisan primaries, legislators’ stipends, applying the Public Records Law to them & same day voter reg.
Megan Zinn’s Writers Block w/ Jessica Brilliant Keener: “Evening Begins the Day.”
Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby: No Kings, Mount Tom, antisemitism in schools—the City’s response & DESE’s report, the budget, schools & an impending override?
Rob Weir: “7 Swings at 7: Mickey Mantle—Legend and Victim of American Culture.
Saturday, March 28, 202603/28/2026
Western Mass Business Show on 3.28.26 – Good Dog Spot
In The Western Mass. Business Show
www.gooddogspot.net
Sometimes people know what they are going to do with their lives in the third grade. That is exactly what Elizabeth Staples knew. Since then, she had wanted to be involved with animals and working at a kennel as a teen and in her 20s solidified her dream of having her own business one day. She opened her first location in Chicopee in 2007, shortly thereafter she met her husband Corey Staples in 2009, and they decided to make it a family affair having him join her in the business in 2013 so they could begin to build their family and business lives together more seamlessly. The Good Dog Spot opened a second location in Northampton and has been going strong on King Street since then. Listen in as we hear all the ways that TGDS provides care for your pet members of the family. Whether it’s training or boarding or daycare or grooming, your animals will be well taken care of here (cats too). Check out the webcam with the 360-degree videos on their website for a better view into the operations and care you will receive at TGDS.
Friday, March 27, 202603/27/2026
The Hustler Files Ep 155
FROM INCARCERATED YOUTH TO COMMUNITY LEADER
Today we meet Pray’Eon, a young emerging leader whose already young life journey reflects the power of second chances and personal transformation. Once involved in the justice system and placed in a juvenile detention center at a young age, Pray’Eon now uses his lived experience to guide others and advocate for positive change. Through resilience, reflection, and mentorship, he has transformed his past into purpose and is now stepping into leadership through his work with the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ). In this very personal conversation, Pray’Eon shares how his early experiences shaped his worldview, the lessons he learned while navigating the justice system, and his commitment to helping young people avoid the same pitfalls. He speaks openly about unity, responsibility, and the importance of lifting others rather than turning against one another. This episode is a strong and inspirational reminder that leadership CAN grow from adversity, and that the voices of young people with lived experience, like Pray’Eon are essential to shaping stronger, safer communities, everywhere.
Friday, March 27, 202603/27/2026
Healing & Protest
Healing & Protest
3/27/26: Dr. David Gottsegen: “Mending the Body with the Mind: Harnessing Kids’ Superpowers to Heal and Stay Healthy.”
Rep. Mindy Domb: protecting immigrants in Mass and No Kings.
Atty Chris Swartz from Democracy Defenders: Trump’s crimes, the Epstein files, the Law of War, & the family now $4.5 BILLION richer.
ArtBeat — Donnabelle Casis w/ Donna Costellanos: “Book of Wonder, Cover to Cover.”
Thursday, March 26, 202603/26/2026
Students On The March
Students On The March
3/26/26 Guest Host Larry Hott
Susan Triolo & Four Rivers Charter Public School Students: Olivia Long & Luka Warren-Pukis… No Kings Day Mar 28 In Greenfield
Rev Carole Bull: Progressive interfaith pastor of The United Church Of Christ – Easter & the Resurrection
All That Jazz: John Anz w/ singer Jane Monheit…Return to The Iron Horse Wed April 15
Michael Klare: 5 colleges professor emeritus of peace and world security studies – the War in Iran
